Simon Cowell - latest victim of 'swatting'

The X Factor judge Simon Cowell is the most recent celeb to fall victim of “swatting.”

AFP reports that officers responded to a call of “unknown trouble” at Cowell’s home. The Hollywood Police Department responded to the calls, and when they arrived saw no such disturbances.

Cowell was present when the police arrived, Lincoln Hoshino of HPD explains, “The caller reported that someone within the house had been tied up with duct tape and needed assistance.”

“Swatting” is referred to the act of someone calling in a false call to emergency officials who rapidly respond to a find nothing wrong. The act of swatting is a crime.

Additionally, Hoshino notes that the dispatcher never believed there was trouble, but sent a car to make sure anyways.

“The call was so ridiculously done it had no credibility with the dispatcher ... The dispatcher immediately suspected it was a fake," he said, although officers were sent to check out the report just in case.”